Antarctica - Empire of the Penguin

[Starwarsfan13]

Why so?

I wanna hear about this as well...

 

[illumination]

What is the transition like between the final screen room, and the glassed-penguin exhibit that you view on your way to deboarding? In the POV video I saw, the final video scene was kind of dark and then it looked like the vehicles spun around and then all of the sudden it was a really bright window view of the penguin exhibit behind glass. Is there a door/wall that opens up fast to reveal the live penguins? Or do the ride vehicles just move quickly into a separate room?

 

[UNIrd]

I'm also curious what interactions you had. I found that the one thing Sea World really did right was the guest service.

- Team members everywhere to answer questions
- Members of managent out ensuring everything is going well
- Water coolers set up in the queue
- Lots of umbrellas in the queue
- Guy going around spraying those who wanted with water.
- Free bottles of water and sun screen.

That sounds like way above and beyond to me.

 

[Spideyfreak]

What is the transition like between the final screen room, and the glassed-penguin exhibit that you view on your way to deboarding? In the POV video I saw, the final video scene was kind of dark and then it looked like the vehicles spun around and then all of the sudden it was a really bright window view of the penguin exhibit behind glass. Is there a door/wall that opens up fast to reveal the live penguins? Or do the ride vehicles just move quickly into a separate room?

They about face and move forward. In some of the videos, you can see the reflection of the screen in the window. If you watch closely, you can see the a door come down after the RV's park in from of the penguins.

 

[Hatetofly]

What is the transition like between the final screen room, and the glassed-penguin exhibit that you view on your way to deboarding? In the POV video I saw, the final video scene was kind of dark and then it looked like the vehicles spun around and then all of the sudden it was a really bright window view of the penguin exhibit behind glass. Is there a door/wall that opens up fast to reveal the live penguins? Or do the ride vehicles just move quickly into a separate room?

All there is, is giant garage style doors that open up to reveal the live penguins as you spin away from the screen.

 

[Capacity]

I hate the guest service at SeaWorld but I was actually impressed by this rides staff. They were all very bright and educated. Everything seemed to be running efficiently and I was never yelled at like I would be at Universal.

 

[BJCool]

Nighttime Walkthrough from Inside the Magic

[video=youtube;UID9QkFbocA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UID9QkFbocA[/video]

 

[Felipe]

Thanks for posting the video, BJCool! The theming looks great at night as well

 

[TylerDurden]

Those reviews aren't actually positive reviews. They're using language like "an experience the entire family can enjoy together," but not actually saying that they found it to be enjoyable. Same with TPI.

The one that is blocked is very favorable.

But besides that, none of them are overtly negative either. I think the bad reviews posted on this site have kind of blossomed and left a sour taste in everyone's mouth meaning the ride will now always have a bad stigma associated with it by any user of this site who has read it get blasted. I'm sure that if the first reviews on here had been more positive, the succeeding reviews would have been a lot more forgiving. And I've noticed this sort of group think happen before--people were ripping on the idea of Transformers coming to Universal before it was confirmed, and now everyone is super excited for it because the mood of the board changed.

I'm not saying it's the greatest ride ever, but even from only seeing the video it seems like it's getting really ripped apart for nothing. Compared to the rest of SeaWorld's attraction lineup, I'd say it's pretty well-done. And from what I understand, the ride is really not the main attraction, it's a unique way of entering the exhibit, and in that regard it actually succeeds.

 

[Miketheboss]

The one that is blocked is very favorable.

But besides that, none of them are overtly negative either. I think the bad reviews posted on this site have kind of blossomed and left a sour taste in everyone's mouth meaning the ride will now always have a bad stigma associated with it by any user of this site who has read it get blasted. I'm sure that if the first reviews on here had been more positive, the succeeding reviews would have been a lot more forgiving. And I've noticed this sort of group think happen before--people were ripping on the idea of Transformers coming to Universal before it was confirmed, and now everyone is super excited for it because the mood of the board changed.

I'm not saying it's the greatest ride ever, but even from only seeing the video it seems like it's getting really ripped apart for nothing. Compared to the rest of SeaWorld's attraction lineup, I'd say it's pretty well-done. And from what I understand, the ride is really not the main attraction, it's a unique way of entering the exhibit, and in that regard it actually succeeds.

Well written !!!

 

[Capacity]

The one that is blocked is very favorable.

But besides that, none of them are overtly negative either. I think the bad reviews posted on this site have kind of blossomed and left a sour taste in everyone's mouth meaning the ride will now always have a bad stigma associated with it by any user of this site who has read it get blasted. I'm sure that if the first reviews on here had been more positive, the succeeding reviews would have been a lot more forgiving. And I've noticed this sort of group think happen before--people were ripping on the idea of Transformers coming to Universal before it was confirmed, and now everyone is super excited for it because the mood of the board changed.

I'm not saying it's the greatest ride ever, but even from only seeing the video it seems like it's getting really ripped apart for nothing. Compared to the rest of SeaWorld's attraction lineup, I'd say it's pretty well-done. And from what I understand, the ride is really not the main attraction, it's a unique way of entering the exhibit, and in that regard it actually succeeds.

It's being ripped apart because SeaWorld said it was going to be this amazing attraction. And it isn't. Its lame. When they're charging the same amount of money to get into their park as Disney and Universal and talking up a ride the way they did I think we all just expected a lot more from it.

 

[rhino4evr]

The one that is blocked is very favorable.

But besides that, none of them are overtly negative either. I think the bad reviews posted on this site have kind of blossomed and left a sour taste in everyone's mouth meaning the ride will now always have a bad stigma associated with it by any user of this site who has read it get blasted. I'm sure that if the first reviews on here had been more positive, the succeeding reviews would have been a lot more forgiving. And I've noticed this sort of group think happen before--people were ripping on the idea of Transformers coming to Universal before it was confirmed, and now everyone is super excited for it because the mood of the board changed.

I'm not saying it's the greatest ride ever, but even from only seeing the video it seems like it's getting really ripped apart for nothing. Compared to the rest of SeaWorld's attraction lineup, I'd say it's pretty well-done. And from what I understand, the ride is really not the main attraction, it's a unique way of entering the exhibit, and in that regard it actually succeeds.

Well, considering there have been quite a few people that have actaully ridden the ride and were disappointed I think you're hypothesis is incorrect. I think most people on this board wanted to really like the ride, I mean half the board members changed their icons to Penguins to celebrate.

Personally I found the ride video rather underwhelming, this is coming from someone that actually liked TLM ride at Disney World. I can see this as a nice ride for the 10 and under set, but I think most people will be rather underwhelmed, and be much more excited to just see the penguins.

When I saw the promo ads, I pictured a boat ride through a real penguin exhibit, maybe with a small drop to add some thrill factor. The new technology seems underused, and the entire attraction seems very amaturish compared to the parks down the road. It looks like they nailed the "themeing" but the ride itself seems like an afterthought compared.

 

[ynnoj]

When I saw the promo ads, I pictured a boat ride through a real penguin exhibit, maybe with a small drop to add some thrill factor. The new technology seems underused, and the entire attraction seems very amaturish compared to the parks down the road. It looks like they nailed the "themeing" but the ride itself seems like an afterthought compared.

I think this is pretty much the primary reason why everybody is so underwhelmed. The promotional material and concept art they used is nothing like the finished product.

 

[JungleSkip]

I think this is pretty much the primary reason why everybody is so underwhelmed. The promotional material and concept art they used is nothing like the finished product.

Yup. SeaWorld has no one to blame but themselves.

 

[Hatetofly]

Simple question Tyler Durden, have you ridden it? Because I have and my review was generous. Some of these others can lie to themselves all they want and try to suck up to SW. But I'm keeping it real and the ride is a massive disappointment. I was looking forward to this more than Transformers. Mainly because I'd already been on Transformers but you get the point, I WAS excited for this collaboration between Oceaneering and SW. Oceaneering lived up to there part, SW on the other hand blew it on a massive level.

 

[illumination]

All there is, is giant garage style doors that open up to reveal the live penguins as you spin away from the screen.

Ah, thanks. I've never been to SW before, so between this and Turtle Trek I'm excited to go. Maybe check out Discovery Cove too. Someday...

 

[bobwadd]

Some of these others can lie to themselves all they want and try to suck up to SW.

That's why I love this forum, no sucking up to anyone :thumbs:

 

[tiredoldspook]

I will say this, COLDEST RIDE OF ALL TIME! I did enjoy being so close to the penguins. The ride is way confusing sadly. But I only waited 10 minutes total.

 

[TylerDurden]

Simple question Tyler Durden, have you ridden it? Because I have and my review was generous. Some of these others can lie to themselves all they want and try to suck up to SW. But I'm keeping it real and the ride is a massive disappointment. I was looking forward to this more than Transformers. Mainly because I'd already been on Transformers but you get the point, I WAS excited for this collaboration between Oceaneering and SW. Oceaneering lived up to there part, SW on the other hand blew it on a massive level.

no I haven't, I'm simply playing devil's advocate here. I really didn't follow the project at all so my expectations were pretty in-check, and so looking just at the video (and assuming that the actual ride would be a tad better), I thought the ride seemed about right from the producers of Journey to Atlantis and Wild Arctic.

Of course, you're not going to see me in a five-hour line to get on it. But regardless, I still think SeaWorld did a lot right, and this would have been more appreciated with less build-up and negative buzz (and that's just from seeing the video).

Believe me, I'm still not drooling over it or anything. :wave:

 

[Hatetofly]

no I haven't, I'm simply playing devil's advocate here. I really didn't follow the project at all so my expectations were pretty in-check, and so looking just at the video (and assuming that the actual ride would be a tad better), I thought the ride seemed about right from the producers of Journey to Atlantis and Wild Arctic.

Of course, you're not going to see me in a five-hour line to get on it. But regardless, I still think SeaWorld did a lot right, and this would have been more appreciated with less build-up and negative buzz (and that's just from seeing the video).

Believe me, I'm still not drooling over it or anything. :wave:

All good, I was typing that while standing JP this morning. When I got home I read it and thought I hope that didn't come across bitchy Man so disappointed in that ride!